Nuance Dictionary / Sounds & Sensations
꾸벅꾸벅 kku-beok-kku-beok
The rhythmic, involuntary head-bobbing of someone losing the battle to stay awake while sitting upright.
What does 꾸벅꾸벅 mean?
꾸벅꾸벅 (kku-beok-kku-beok) means: The rhythmic, involuntary head-bobbing of someone losing the battle to stay awake while sitting upright.
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How it's actually used
- 회의 중에 꾸벅꾸벅 졸다가 팀장님한테 딱 걸렸어.
hoe-ui jung-e kku-beok-kku-beok jol-da-ga tim-jang-nim-han-te ttak geol-lyeot-seo.
I was nodding off during the meeting and got caught red-handed by the team lead.
💡 Shows how the word implies a failed attempt to remain professional. - 지하철에서 꾸벅꾸벅하는 사람 보면 진짜 안쓰러워.
ji-ha-cheol-e-seo kku-beok-kku-beok-ha-neun sa-ram bo-myeon jin-jja an-sseu-reo-wo.
I feel really bad for people I see bobbing their heads on the subway.
💡 Highlights the empathetic, observational tone often used with this word. - 밤새 공부하느라 수업 시간에 꾸벅꾸벅 졸았네.
bam-sae gong-bu-ha-neu-ra su-eop si-gan-e kku-beok-kku-beok jol-at-ne.
I was nodding off in class because I pulled an all-nighter studying.
💡 Connects the physical action to the common student experience of exhaustion.
Related words in Sounds & Sensations
몽글몽글 mong-geul-mong-geul느릿느릿 neu-rit-neu-rit오손도손 o-son-do-son오글오글 ogeul-ogeul올망졸망 olmang-jolmang